Pore-RumorsEnlarged or noticeable pores are one major barrier to a clear and glowing complexion. Apart from giving your skin a dull appearance, visible than normal pores can also make your skin look old and more prone to acne and other blemishes.

If you are bothered by the size of your pores and want to make them less noticeable, you may be glad to know that it is possible to do so. First, we need to debunk some pore myths and rumors that can stand in the way of healthy and clear skin.

Rumor 1: Your pores open and close.

Contrary to popular belief, working out or getting steam facial will not open your pores. This is because your pores are already open! While they can stretch or dilate, pores do not have muscles that will enable them to open and close like your mouth. 

Steaming can soften your skin’s top layer and then help in gently exfoliating it. This can assist in extracting the buildup or blackheads more easily. Do take note, however, that this procedure is best left to professionals.

Rumor 2: The black spots from your blackheads are dirt.

Those little dark spots you see in your nose and some parts of the cheeks are due to oxidation. This refers to a chemical reaction that involves sebum/oil and oxygen. When the dead skin cells obstruct the opening of the pores, it traps both oil and make it difficult to exit. This then leads to blackheads.

Rumor 3: You can eliminate or get rid of your pores.

No, you cannot. While you may wish for your pores to be invisible, they are here to stay. These openings contain the hair follicles in your face and serve an important function of letting the sweat out. Your pores also secrete oil, which provides moisture and lubrication to skin. This keeps it from being dry, scaly, and itchy.

Rumor 4: Sunlight can help shrink your pores.

Some believe that the heat from the sun can dry the excess sebum in your pores and make them less noticeable. This is far from the truth as prolonged sun exposure can damage your skin and lead to premature aging. In fact, it can only increase the size of your pores.

Rumor 5: Washing your face several times daily can unclog your pores.

Although it is true that cleansing can remove excess oil from your skin, overdoing it can do harm. This is because over cleansing strip your skin of its natural oils and moisture. This will then cause the oil or sebaceous gland to overcompensate and produce more oil, which can then clog your pores.

What Can Help in Minimizing Enlarged Pores

Apart from practicing proper skin hygiene (like cleansing your face twice a day and avoiding touching your face), it is also a good idea to consider aesthetic treatments. Here at Cutis Laser Medical Clinics, we offer a number of nonsurgical procedures that can minimize the appearance of large pores. 

Laser Genesis Skin Therapy

Laser Genesis is a non-invasive laser treatment that stimulates collagen growth to promote healthy and vibrant skin. It can safely and effectively address a number of skin conditions such as large pores, uneven skin texture, fine lines and wrinkles. It can also help diffuse scars and redness.

The procedure involves the use of a US FDA-approved handheld device the gently heats the deeper layers. This boosts collagen formation that can then help plump and tighten the skin. This leads to a visible reduction in the size of your pores, as well as  improved your overall skin texture.

Laser Genesis does not require the use of any anesthesia or pain reliever. The treatment produces natural-looking results without downtime or side effects, but you will have to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen before going out in the sun.

VI Peel

VI Peel in Singapore is a stronger type of chemical peel designed to help you achieve and maintain healthy skin. It is beneficial if you have enlarged pores, as it can improve the tone, texture, and clarity of the skin through its scientifically proven and results-oriented ingredients.

This chemical peel can also:

  • Reduce or eliminate age spots, freckles, and hyperpigmentation
  • Soften fine lines and wrinkles
  • Clear acne skin conditions
  • Reduce or eliminate acne scar
  • Stimulate production of collagen

While the application of VI Peel can cause slight tingling sensation for a few seconds, this subsides almost immediately. It can also make your skin appear tan or reddish for a short period of time. You will need to go home with the solution on your face, but it is safe and not obvious. You can then wash it off after four to five hours.

The peeling process will start three days later and can continue for five to seven days. During this time, you may also notice unusual skin coloring. You will then see a brighter and smoother complexion after when the peeling is completed.

Check out our previous blog to learn all the things you need to know about VI Peel.

Cutera Pearl Resurfacing

This laser skin resurfacing treatment uses an FDA-cleared technology that provides “stem-to-stern” rejuvenation in less than 1 week. It can help you deal with a number of skin problems such as enlarged pores, wrinkles, uneven skin texture, age spots, and sun damage. 

It uses a handheld device that treats the skin’s top layer using pulses of laser in a pre-selected pattern. The laser also delivers heat to the deeper layers, promoting longer-term benefits. This causes the skin to form a protective dressing that will peel off after three to four days. This then reveals healthier skin with a “pearly” glow.

You may be able to see improvements in just one session, but two to three sessions are usually required to maintain good results. You can see noticeable results in the overall skin clarity, softness, and smoothness after at least one to two weeks.

Don’t let large pores make your skin look dull. Contact Cutis Laser Medical Clinics today and schedule a consultation with our aesthetic doctors, to find out which procedure suits you best.